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How do i open my factory.wim image so i can restore my system

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Posted by scalegame on 10 Apr 2012 8:00 PM

I have windows 7 on a dell inspiron 545s and I performed a system restore. After the restore; windows will not start normally and the c drive does
not contain the factory image. The factory.wim is located in the I:drive but I don't know how to use this to restore my system. Any ideas? Thanks,
josh

Posted by DELLElijah O on 10 Apr 2012 9:32 PM

Hi,
Welcome to the community
Hopefully the partition is still there, to access Factory Image follow these steps ;
1 Turn on the computer.
2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.
3 Select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.
4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9 Click Next. The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
Let me know of the results, glad to help

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Posted by SpeedStep on 11 Apr 2012 1:56 PM

Elijah you CANNOT EVER ACCESS the WIM file because thats not how its done anymore.
Hasn't been there since WIN7 came out. Some PRE SP1 VISTA machines have it.
The DELL DATASAFE Utility does give you a way to Backup everything from factory onto a 16 GIG OR LARGER usb flash drive. You CANNOT
however clone the drive nor get to the "image" because the Dell Data Safe 2.0 partition is
ENCRYPTED NTFS. This also means that ANY Changes to the partition size or location BREAK THIS Feature FOREVER.
I always recommend a USB Flash drive to do the backup of the Diag and Restore Partitions.
Article ID : 266301

Date Published : 20090211

Journal ID : 7b9a91777ad24b0397416c8965936688

Creating a Full System Backup Using Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0
1 Click

2 Click

then click

All Programs, click

Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 and click

Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0.

Back up your files then select Full System Backup.

3 To backup immediately, click

BackupNow

.
To select the location to backup to, or to schedule regular backups, click

EditPlan

and continue to the next step.

4 Select the location to save your backup to.
You can save your backups to your hard drive, to a rewritable CD/DVD using a CD/DVD burner, or to an external memory device like a USB
memory key or USB hard drive. If an external device you want to save to is not listed, make sure it is plugged in securely then click

Refresh

.
Once your location is selected, click

Next

.
5 To create a backup immediately, select

I will manually backup my system and click

Next

.
To set a backup to be run at a later time, or to schedule a regularly occurring backup, click
specify the time and date(s) to run the backup then click

http://en.community.dell.com/supportforums/desktop/f/3514/t/19444472

Backup my system automatically recommended and

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Next

.
6 To change any selections, click

Back

.
If you chose to schedule a recurring backup and would like to start an initial backup now, click

Start this backup now.

Once satisfied with your selections, click

Finish

.
Additional Information: Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0
Refer to the following links for additional information on Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0.
What is Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0? Article ID: 353560
Creating Your System Recovery Discs with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353561
Restoring Your Dell Computer to Original Factory Installation with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353562
Creating a Backup Using Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353563
Restoring from a Backup Using DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353564
Upgrading To Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Professional Article ID: 353565
Frequently Asked Questions: Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353566

Report Unresolved Customer Service Issues here

I do not work for Dell. I too am a user.
The forum is primarily user to user, with Dell employees moderating.

Posted by scalegame on 13 Apr 2012 7:46 PM

Elijah, I tried that and it didn't work. Also, I cannot start windows normally not even in safe mode. The c: drive does not contain the system
image. It is another file and in the factory.wim image....

Posted by DELLElijah O on 15 Apr 2012 3:44 AM

Hi,
I think you need to reinstall the Operating system manually. Please see this link ; http://dell.to/IBwdqg

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Posted by SpeedStep on 16 Apr 2012 10:19 AM

The factory.wim file is in the Dell/Image folder of Recovery partition, From the tools folder, use the
"imagex /apply d:\dell\image\factory.wim 1 c:\ "
If this is the case you have Vista not WIN7.

Article ID : 266618

Date Published : 20080115

Journal ID : f1cc674c8dd9472b9e989ad2e6bacf85

ThisarticleisforMicrosoftWindowsVista:
ClickheretochangetheOperatingSystem

Table of Contents:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Step1:Backupimportantfiles&data.
Step2:Removenonessentialperipherals
Step3:Restorethecomputer'ssoftwaretooriginalcondition.
Step4:Restoreyourpersonalfilesanddatafrombackups.

Notice:

Dell has designed two new backup and restore programs, see below for the
details:
Dell Inspirons, Studios, and XPS Systems use DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 as the
PC Restore/Factory Image Restore option as of April 22, 2009.
Click here if your computer is an Inspiron, Studio, or XPS

Dell OptiPlex, Latitude, Vostro, and Precisions use Dell Backup and Recovery
Manager as the PC Restore/Factory Image Restore option as of May 26, 2009.
Click here if your computer is an OptiPlex, Latitude, Vostro, or Precision

Step 1:

Backup important files & data.

1 Click

, and then click Control Panel .

2 In the Control Panel window, click

System and Maintenance

, and then click
Back Up and Restore Center
.
3 Under Back up files or your entire computer, click

Back up files

.
If the User Account Control window appears, and you are prompted for an administrator password or a confirmation,

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type your password, or click

Continue

.
4 On the Where do you want to save your backup? page, choose the location in which to save the backup. To do
this, click either On a hard disk, CD, or DVD or On a network, and then specify the location.
If you select a hard disk, be sure to save the backup to an external drive such as a USB key or USB hard drive.
5 Click

Next

.
6 On the Which file types do you want to backup? page, click to select the check boxes next to the types of files
that you want to back up, and then click

Next

.
7 On the How often do you want to create a backup? page, leave the defaults as they are and click

Save settings and start backup

to back up the files to the specified location.

Backup will save the files in the background and may take several minutes to complete. If you specified a removable
drive, Backup may prompt you to enter an additional blank disc if more than one is necessary to hold all your files. Be
sure to label your discs thoroughly (such as "My Files Disc 1" etc.) so you can quickly restore them later.
Once the Backup Complete message appears, you are ready to proceed with the next step.
Back to Top

Step 2:

Remove nonessential peripherals

Except for the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, remove all external peripheralsincluding:
Note:
An external peripheral is a device that connects to a port on the front, side or back of the computer, like a
printer or memory key.
Scanner
Printer
Modem or Network cables
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
USB flash drive or other external Hard Drive
Any other external devices (e.g., USBattached devices)
Remove the computer from the docking station, if you are using one.
Back to Top
Step 3:

Restore the computer's software to original condition.

Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows Vista

Notice:

Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data.

This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, Emails, photos.

Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do

not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.

Turn on the computer.

2As

the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

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Note:

You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen.
If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the
Advanced Boot Optionsmenuwill not appear on the screen. If you
do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer,
and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and
then press <Enter>.
4

Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.

Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.

Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.

Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10

When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
Back to Top
Step 4:

Restore your personal files and data from backups

1 Click

then click Control Panel .

2 In the Control Panel window, click

System and Maintenance

, and then click
Back Up and Restore Center
.
3 Under Restore files or your entire computer, click Advanced Restore.
4 On the What do you want to restore? page, click
click

Files from a backup made on a different computer and

Next

.
5 Locate the backup you created earlier by browsing to it now. If you saved the backup to CD(s) or DVD, insert that
disc now. Once the backup is located and selected, click

Next

.
6 On the Select the files and folders to restore page, click

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Restore everything in this backup then click

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Next

.
Backup will restore the files to your computer. If you are restoring from a removable drive and used more than one blank
disc, Backup will prompt you to enter the next disc in the set as necessary. Depending on the number of files and their
sizes, this process may take several minutes.
Back to Top

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I do not work for Dell. I too am a user.
The forum is primarily user to user, with Dell employees moderating.

Posted by scalegame on 18 Apr 2012 5:55 PM

Speedstep I do have Win7, but how do I open the factory.wim in the dell/image folder if I cannot sign in to Windows? I can access command
prompt, but I am not good with it.
I have an external hard drive.....could I somehow copy that factory.wim image onto there then restore the system from the external hard drive?
Or will I still run into the same problem of not being able to open the factory.wim?
Thanks for your help

Posted by scalegame on 24 Apr 2012 11:59 AM

Does anybody have any ideas on this?? I feel totally lost.

Thanks

Posted by RobinBredin on 24 Apr 2012 12:18 PM

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scalegame
Does anybody have any ideas on this?? I feel totally lost.
Thanks
Hi, Did your system come with dell data safe installed, if so, did you make up a set of disc's. The thing is, my F8 does not work, but I did make up
a set of reinstall disc(2), and when I reiinstall, I use the 2 disc's I made up.

If my answer Was helpful? Please let me know by clicking on the 'Did this answer your question' and clicking on the Yes button. Thanks.

Posted by SpeedStep on 24 Apr 2012 12:25 PM

You CANNOT ACCESS the WIM file because with WIN7 its no longer a WIM file. With Windows 7 there is no WIM.
Dell Datasafe 2.0 uses its own proprietary encrypted format. If you touch the partition at all (Resize, change version of windows, etc.) Then you
will NEVER EVER RECOVER AGAIN. It breaks the link to the encrypted partition and the "image" is lost.

Report Unresolved Customer Service Issues here

I do not work for Dell. I too am a user.
The forum is primarily user to user, with Dell employees moderating.

Posted by scalegame on 24 Apr 2012 6:40 PM

SpeedStep......is there ANYTHING I can do??

Josh

Posted by theflash1932 on 25 Apr 2012 12:15 PM

Unless it is done differently in Enterprise than in Consumer, there ISa WIM file (how could there not be? that's how Vista/7 are
installed/deployed!). I've never had a desire to restore to factory condition, but just for kicks, I copied the Recovery partition contents fromone
of the new Optiplex 790's wegot in. I haven't had the chance (or desire) to play with it to see if it can be used to restorea PC, but I can confirm
at least in an Optiplex that the Recovery does indeed use a WIM file.

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Posted by SpeedStep on 25 Apr 2012 1:04 PM

Enterprise is done with Volume License Media. Its not the same.
I am an Enterprise customer at work. There is no WIM for consumer Windows 7 on a Dell due to the NTFS partition with the Data Safe 2.0 image
being encrypted.
I have done the 16 Gig USB Flash media backup and it Recovers to Blank New hard drives just fine.
I have also tried to use Norton Ghost to clone the drives. They boot but the Datasafe Encrypted partition does not work because it cannot be
copied or cloned.
Been there Done that. If you played with the partitions its broken. End of story.

Report Unresolved Customer Service Issues here

I do not work for Dell. I too am a user.
The forum is primarily user to user, with Dell employees moderating.

Posted by theflash1932 on 25 Apr 2012 1:36 PM

Note (as your statement about being an "Enterprise customer" didn't make any sense) ... I too am an Enterprise customer, and the 790's that came
to us have the WIM file, as indicated. As I said, I haven't attempted to do anything with it, so it may still be unusable, but it is there. Or are you
saying that ONLY Enterprise factory imaging is done using WIM files? If so, then how is Consumer factory imaging done using only an encrypted
WIM, or some other imaging technology? Is DataSafe that imaging technology, having some proprietary, encrypted image format? Why would they
use different imaging technologies for different LOB's? Honestly, the last Dell consumer machine I bought, I formatted and installed the OS before
even booting to the factoryinstalled OS.

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Posted by SpeedStep on 25 Apr 2012 2:00 PM

"Note (as your statement about being an "Enterprise customer" didn't make any sense)"
I disagree.

I know what you are saying about Enterprise Customer. I am however a Hybrid Customer.
I have Home systems that were purchased from DELL or Retail at Microcenter etc.
The HOME USER RETAIL Customer DOES NOT HAVE A FACTORY.WIM file that can be accessed.
Home users Cannot access a factory.WIM file because it does not exist on their machines.
The Home Dell Datasafe 2.0 WINDOWS 7 does not have a factory.wim file.
The earlier Vista Home installs did have this.
When I'm talking about a Home system its about a system that I have purchased Retail or thru Dell within the last 3 months.
I'm not accountable or liable to answer as to WHY dell does this but I suspect that Microsoft was not too happy with people cloning
Dell Factory installs and then hacking them to activate them.
Home user Drives CANNOT BE CLONED.
When there was a factory.wim file on an UNENCRYPTED partition they cloned Just fine.
I have also tested and RE tested the Datasafe Backup routine onto 16 GIG OR LARGER usb flash drive.
Which makes a bootable usb flash drive (THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN A FACTORY.WIM) but does backup the entire DIAG, RECOVERY, and FACTORY
OS.
It will recover to a NEW BLANK HARD DRIVE with 1 caveot. IT MUST BE AT LEAST AS LARGE OR LARGER FOR THE HARD DRIVE.
Not sure why there was a need to post a picture of a factory.wim file.
The one you show is NOT ON A RECOVERY PARTITION its on a network shared drive using and RFC 1918 address.

Report Unresolved Customer Service Issues here

I do not work for Dell. I too am a user.
The forum is primarily user to user, with Dell employees moderating.

Posted by theflash1932 on 25 Apr 2012 2:45 PM

"I suspect that Microsoft was not too happy with people cloning Dell Factory installs and then hacking them to activate them."
If you're going to "hack" an install to activate it, why would you hack a Dell factory image?!
"I'm not accountable or liable to answer as to WHY dell does this"
Ididn't hold you accountable to answer for Dell even Dell can't answer for Dell for most questions consider it a rhetorical question.

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"Not sure why there was a need to post a picture of a factory.wim file."
To show that a WIM file does actually exist on a Dell Windows 7 Recovery Partition. You said "With Windows 7 there is no WIM". You did not
specify it was for home/consumer machines, and I noticed the existence of a WIM file where you said there should not be, hence the reason for my
qualifying statement of "unless it is done differently in Enterprise"(and as it turns out, it is done differently no big deal). I can accept the fact
that home PC's do not have them for whatever reason, while business PC's do.
"The one you show is NOT ON A RECOVERY PARTITION its on a network shared drive using and RFC 1918 address."
I told you I don't care about using the factory recovery but made a copy of the recovery partition contents to play with later if I wanted to
which I probably don't.
This is good enough for me:
Home machines: Use proprietary, encrypted DataSafe recovery image; cannot be cloned or recovered once broken.
Business machines: UseDellmodified standard WIM files for recovery.

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